This is part of a series of responses from candidates for the Nov. 6, 2018 election. There are three people on the ballot for Kansas Secretary of State:
Secretary of State (vote for one)
Brian “BAM” McClendon1200 Oread Avenue #703 Lawrence 66044 Democratic
Scott Schwab 14953 W 140th Terr. Olathe 66062 Republican
Rob Hodgkinson 7111 W 151st St #104 Overland Park 66223 Libertarian
Here are Brian McClendon’s responses:
Brian McClendon
Name: Brian “BAM” McClendon
Age: 54
Candidate for the position of Kansas Secretary of State
Place of residence: Lawrence, KS
Current occupation: Research professor, University of Kansas
Party affiliation: Democrat
Community involvement:
● Helped found non-profit KSvotes to encourage non-partisan civic
engagement in Kansas and led the team that developed an online/mobile voter registration tool for Kansas
● With Beth Ellyn McClendon, established the McClendon Engineering Scholarship at the University of Kansas
● Pro bono STEM presentations at Kansas elementary, middle and high schools, colleges, and universities; and companies and organizations
● The University of Kansas Endowment, Trustee
● Member of Portola Valley Cable Committee for 8 years. Brought
broadband to small-town cable system against all odds
● Member, Consumer Technology Association Advisory Board (CES)
● Member, National Academy of Engineering
● University of Kansas School of Engineering Advisory Board
● University of Kansas EECS Advisory Board
● National Academy of Engineering
● United Nations “Champions of the Earth Laureate” award (the UN’s top environmental prize) for “harnessing the power of technology to support conservation and green economic development,” Entrepreneurial Vision 2013
1) What is the biggest issue, if elected, and how do you plan to address it?
The focus of the Secretary of State is and should be on supporting elections and voting, business registration and support, and government transparency. Protecting our elections from foreign interference, protecting the private data of Kansas citizens, protecting the fundamental right of every eligible citizen to vote,
and increasing voter engagement are critical challenges that the Kansas Secretary of State should prioritize.
As a businessman, a former executive with Google, and an innovator, I have the skills to accomplish these goals.
My first tasks will be:
● To use my technology expertise to monitor the state’s voting systems in order to help ensure that every vote is counted and to guard against any outside interference. Additionally, I’ll continue to promote voter registration and advance ballots. Registering to vote and requesting advance ballots should be as easy for eligible voters as using Google Maps.
● The voter registration system at the Kansas Department of Motor Vehicle driver’s license bureaus needs immediate attention. There are reports that some new voter registrations through the DMV are not being recorded at the county level. As a result, voters who believed they were registered to vote are discovering they are not. This needs to be investigated and fixed.
● I will return non-partisan public service to the Secretary of State’s office. I will modernize the Secretary of State’s website by updating the technology, especially search and navigation, to make the site easier to use for all citizens and businesses. The Secretary of State’s website is the front door for Kansas businesses and the front door for citizens. I will make sure that the door is open.
● As a businessman, I’ve started companies, built companies and built teams that delivered products that met stringent requirements for security, efficiency, and ease of use. At Google, I lead a team that grew from 29 to 2000. I can make the Secretary of State’s office accessible, secure and efficient.
● As the administrator of the Crosscheck database, Kansas absorbs the cost and liability of securing data for citizens in multiple other states, but it’s riddled with problems including tens of thousands of false results creating hundreds of hours of work lost chasing down false matches. Crosscheck’s security protocols have also been widely criticized, and some personal data of Kansans has already been leaked. Viable options exist. Crosscheck must be reviewed and then fixed or replaced.
2)Give your views on food sales tax:
The Secretary of State is an administrative position, not legislative. The office has no direct engagement with or influence upon tax policy. The focus of the Secretary of State is and should be on supporting elections and voting, business registration and support, and government transparency.
That said, food sales is a regressive tax placing a disproportionate burden for financially supporting shared public services upon working and middle-class families. Over-relying on a food sales tax means the state is not fairly or effectively distributing the responsibility to fund shared public services.
3) Give your views on legalizing marijuana:
The Secretary of State is an administrative position, not legislative. The office has no direct engagement with or influence upon substance legalization or related policy. The focus of the Secretary of State is and should be on supporting elections and voting, business registration and support, and government transparency.
4) Give your views on health care for our state, including Medicaid:
The Secretary of State is an administrative position, not legislative. The office has no direct engagement with or influence upon public health policy. The focus of the Secretary of State is and should be on supporting elections and voting, business registration and support, and government transparency.
That said, Bourbon County has just experienced a hospital closure that is largely a result of conservative Kansas leaders refusing to expand Medicare/Medicaid coverage in our state. The partisan opposition to expanding those services, and the resulting negative impact upon health care access to rural and smaller communities, are clearly not working in the best interests of all Kansans.
5) Give views on abortion and Planned Parenthood:
The Secretary of State is an administrative position, not legislative. The office has no direct engagement with or influence upon women’s health policy. The focus of the Secretary of State is and should be on supporting elections and voting, business registration and support, and government transparency.
Famed Fitness Icon Jake (Body by Jake) Steinfeld and Uniontown 235 Students to Cut Ribbon on their Newly Gifted DON’T QUIT!TM Fitness Center
WHAT: Jake Steinfeld, Chairman of the National Foundation for Governors’ Fitness Councils, dignitaries and students will cut the ribbon on Uniontown USD 235 School’s new DON’T QUIT! Fitness Center at 8:30 a..m. on Thursday, October 11, 2018. Uniontown was one of three Kansas schools selected as a DON’T QUIT! Fitness Champion earlier this year for demonstrating new and innovative ways of promoting student physical activity and wellness. The other two winning schools were Lincoln Elementary in Fredonia and Jardine Middle School in Topeka.
Governor Colyer signed a proclamation declaring October as “DON’T QUIT! Fitness Month.” During DON’T QUIT! Fitness Month, families and communities are encouraged to renew their commitment to making physical activity and healthy eating part of our children’s daily lives.
The National Foundation for Governors’ Fitness Councils program has now rolled out in twenty-four states and will be putting fitness centers in all 50 states. Each fitness center is financed through public/private partnerships with companies like The Coca-Cola Company, Amerigroup Foundation, Wheels Up and Nike, and does not rely on taxpayer dollars or state funding. TuffStuff Fitness International provides all of the fitness equipment, which is manufactured right here in the United States. The Foundation’s goal is to build a nation of the fittest, healthiest kids in the world.
WHO: Jake Steinfeld, Chairman of the National Foundation for Governors’ Fitness Councils
Lynne Oharah, County Commissioner
Bret Howard, Superintendent
Vance Eden, Principal
VISUAL: 500 excited students
DON’T QUIT! Fitness Center – Students will use the equipment for the first time!
Proclamation presentation
WHEN: Thursday, October 11, 2018
8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
WHERE: Uniontown 235
602 5th Street
Uniontown, KS 66779
WBE Gymnasium
WHY: Physical activity and exercise have been shown to help prevent and treat more than 40 chronic diseases, enhance individual health and quality of life and reduce health care costs. In schools, physical activity and exercise have been shown to improve academic achievement, increase confidence and self-esteem, reduce discipline problems, cut absenteeism and foster better interpersonal relationships.
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For more information about the National Foundation, visit www.natgovfit.org.
About The National Foundation for Governors’ Fitness Councils The National Foundation for Governors’ Fitness Councils (NFGFC) seeks to encourage and reward innovation in the field of youth fitness by awarding fitness centers to schools that use new and unique methods to promote student physical activity and wellness. The NFGFC envisions a fitness center in every school in the U.S., helping to build a nation that—through innovation and a “DON’T QUIT!” attitude—boasts the fittest kids in the world. Since 2012, the NFGFC has delivered fitness centers in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Washington D.C., Georgia, New Jersey, Delaware, West Virginia, California, New Mexico, Connecticut, Virginia, Illinois, Arkansas, Florida, Texas, Ohio, Washington, Wisconsin, Arizona, Maryland, Louisiana, Oregon and Colorado. In 2018, we will gift fitness centers to four more states including Kansas, South Carolina, Tennessee and Utah.
Carla Nemecek is Southwind District Director and agent.
Do you know how that playground equipment at the park down the street was purchased? Or the new sign leading visitors to a local landmark? How about initial money for a festival? In any community, chances are that someone, or a group of individuals, wrote a grant proposal and received funding to help with the project.
Individuals and community groups can learn more about writing successful grant proposals at a workshop planned in Humboldt, KS on Friday, November 9, 2018. The workshop is presented by Nancy Daniels, a community vitality specialist with K-State Research and Extension and the author of many grant proposals. The training will be at the Humboldt Public Library, 916 Bridge Street from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and includes lunch. The cost to attend is $10.
“This workshop is for everyone, whether they’ve never written a proposal before and have no idea where to start, to those who have experience but are looking for ways to improve their approach,” Daniels said. “The magic that happens in a local community when people find out they don’t have to wait to get something done, that they can do it themselves, is incredible.”
Participants also learn from each other, Daniels said, adding that even experienced grant writers pick up tips and are reenergized after coming together with peers in their communities. Participants are encouraged to bring their grants or grant ideas to share.
Workshop topics include:
Sources of data for community needs (where do you find the numbers to back up your request?);
Where to find grants;
The five common elements of a great grant proposal;
Practicing the grant writing elements.
More information and registration is available by contacting Carla Nemecek at the Southwind Extension District Iola Office, 620-365-2242 or email [email protected].
A local helping agency will continue food and financial help but discontinue the distribution of clothing.
The Beacon Board of Directors voted last week to not accept clothing for distribution to its clients.
“While grateful for the years of generosity of Fort Scott citizens in their donations of clothing and household items, the Beacon Board of Directors has regretfully chosen to end receiving of donations of clothing and household items,” according to a press release from the Beacon.
“The board voted unanimously to continue offering only food service and financial services as it has in the past,” Carol MacArthur, president of the board told fortscott.biz.
“The Beacon will no longer distribute these (clothing) items effective November 1, 2018. This decision not made lightly and only after careful assessment.”
“Food and monetary donations are welcome and essential, as these needs are endless,” according to the press release.
“The Board would also like to thank all those who have worked in the Beacon for their tireless efforts in serving the community.”
At a recent Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition meeting, it was stated that these agencies still provide distribution of clothing in Fort Scott: Mother to Mother Ministry and Communities In Schools, with qualifiers.
Welcome and Board update: Twenty-three members representing nineteen agencies attended. Billie Jo announced that the Coalition Board had been awarded United Way funding for 2019 and received a donation from the Pioneer Kiwanis Club. She also noted that she had submitted a grant application to the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation.
Member introductions and announcements:
Bob Eckles, filling in for Gary Murrell, Beacon Director, shared that the annual Beacon and Adopt-a-Child sign-ups will be held during the first part of November. Qualifying for a Beacon card will entitle a person to two visits each month for food. Bob also shared that the Beacon board has voted to discontinue clothing distribution on November 1. The Beacon organization continues to seek donations of food, money, and books. Christmas distribution is scheduled for December 19 at Community Christian Church.
Following Bob’s announcement, several members – Community Health Center of Pittsburg, Mother-to-Mother, Communities in Schools, shared that they can provide some clothing if qualifications are met.
Head Start, Parents as Teachers, Fort Scott Early Childhood Program all have openings. Contact these organizations for qualifications and applications.
Tammy Alcantar, Crawford County Health Department, reminded members that WIC continues to meet weekly at Buck Run and at Mercy Hospital, for the next three months, the last week of the month. She also mentioned that she has ten Bourbon County participants in the “Baby and Me Tobacco Free” program. She also has a program dealing with best practices for becoming a mom; participants can earn nice prizes for completion of the program.
Samantha Daniels, KVC, has foster parenting classes beginning soon in Pittsburg and Parsons; she will email details.
Next Steps will be starting a new class in November; contact Jean Tucker for additional details. There is an application and interview process.
Sandy, Haggard, RSVP, will have volunteers to place with the closing of Mercy Hospital and the closure of clothing distribution at Beacon. She is working on a new grant application which requires a project dealing with the opioid crisis.
Alice Maffett, Bourbon County Health Department, has been busy with flu shot clinics.
Michelle Stevenson, FSECP, summarized the information from her latest regional coalition meeting. A parent helpline can be accessed through the KCSL application.
Allen Schellack, Compassionate Ministries, announced that bell ringing for the Salvation Army will begin in only seven weeks! He also shared that “Safe Families” is happening in Bourbon County. Tina from Safe Families will be here on November 13, at 6:30 p.m., at the Senior Citizens Center, 26 N. Main to answer all of our questions.
Jackie Sellers sent word that commodities distribution will be on November 15. Senior Citizen food distribution will be on November 16. Contact Jackie for further information.
Amanda Gilmore is actively working on finding a building for clothes distribution.
Ashley Reeder, SEK Mental Health, needs more children enrolled in her program.
Lewis Dunkeson, Communities in Schools, gave a brief synopsis of his program which is new to USD 234.
Program presented by Vicky Polen, Safehouse:
Safehouse Crisis Center, Inc. serves victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking in Southeast Kansas. Services provided include a 24-hour crisis hotline, temporary emergency shelter, crisis intervention advocacy, individual supportive counseling for adults or children, victims support groups for domestic violence and sexual violence. They also promote family-centered safety with a child exchange and visitation center whose mission is to provide a place that is safe and free from violence where children can build and maintain positive relationships with their parents.
The November 7 program will be presented by Mandi H-Woods, Kansas Children’s Service League. Matt Witt will present the December program; we also have a program scheduled for February.
Open Forum: In Cinda Reynold’s absence, Billie Jo announced that the next blood mobile will be held October 25 and 26 at Buck Run Community Center.
Adjournment: Next meeting will be November 7, 2018.
This is part of a series of responses from candidates for the Nov. 6, 2018 election.
County Commission District #1 (vote for one)
Clinton L. Walker 1999 105th St. Mapleton 66754 Democratic
Lynne D. Oharah 2120 95th St. Uniontown 66779 Republican
Here are the responses from incumbent Lynne Oharah:
Lynne Oharah
Name: Lynne Oharah
Age: 71
Candidate for the position of County Commissioner District 1
Place of residence: 2120 95th St. Uniontown, Ks.
Current occupation: Semi-retired, Current County Commissioner District 1
Community involvement: USA Navy Veteran, Past Kansas State Representative. Former USD235 School Board Member for 10 years. Current member of the Uniontown Ruritan club. Member of the Southeast Kansas Planning Committee.
Party affiliation: Republican
What is the biggest issue, if elected, and how do you plan to address it?
Growing the economy and reducing taxes. We have held the line on raising the mill levy and raising the mill levy in the future is not an option. We must make every effort to reduce taxes through economic growth which will increase our population and provide new avenues for growth and continue providing services needed and wanted by the public.
The programs that have been started are the Bourbon County Neighborhood Revitalization Program which is already starting to show results, the continuation of the partnership with CrawKan Telephone Company to provide broadband access to the highspeed internet, plans to promote a Data Center (server farm) in the old jail facility.
We must work with all business, existing and new, agriculture and not-agriculture, to promote growth.
Another extremely important issue to be addressed is dealing with the loss of Mercy Hospital. We must work together, county, cities, and communities, to address how we provide quality medical services to the population of Bourbon County.
I would be very involved in this process and be part of a team to that will work to ensure we do have the medical services we need.
The 1st Annual Veterans Day Parade will be held on Saturday, November 10, beginning at 5:00 pm through downtown Fort Scott.
Entries for the parade are now being accepted at the Fort Scott Regional Tourism Center at 231 E. Wall Street in Fort Scott.
Parade entries should honor our veterans, showcase patriotism, and celebrate Veterans Day.
Entries are being accepted for floats, marching bands, foot units, antique or classic cars, horse units, or anything fitting for a Veterans Day Celebration.
Volunteers are also being sought to provide trucks and trailers for older veterans to ride.
Grand Marshalls will be the oldest male and female veteran living in Bourbon County.
The parade route will follow the normal parade route through Fort Scott, beginning on Main Street at 6th, traveling north to Wall, east on Wall Street to National, and south on National to 6th.
The parade staging area will be at Fort Scott High School.
For more information, or to volunteer, contact the Fort Scott Convention & Visitors Bureau at 620.670.2750 or online at visitfortscott.com.
Contact: Larry Gazaway
Phone: (620) 670.2750
Email:[email protected]
FORT SCOTT, Kan. – Each year, there are changes that affect Medicare coverage. Find out what’s changing for 2019 and prepare for Medicare Open Enrollment. That’s the theme of Fort Scott Presbyterian Village’s “Just Ask” session October 16.
Joy Miller, Southwind District extension agent and local Senior Health Insurance Counseling for Kansas (SCHICK) program volunteer, will talk about upcoming changes and answer your questions about Medicare Part D. Open enrollment for Medicare Part D is October 15 through December 7.
“Medicare Boot Camp” will begin at 2 p.m. October 16 at Fort Scott Presbyterian Village, 2401 S. Horton. It is part of Presbyterian Village’s Just Ask series, a free, ongoing lifelong learning program featuring information from local, regional and national experts on topics of interest to older adults and their families.
For more information or to RSVP, contact Marketing Director Becky Kellum at 620-223-5550 or email her at [email protected].
Krista Harding is a K-State Research and Extension agent assigned to Southwind District. She may be reached at [email protected] or 620-244-3826.
A desirable soil is the most important aspect of a garden. Time spent fertilizing, watering and tending to plants is necessary, but this time is almost a waste if the soil you’re working with is not in good condition. Fall is an excellent time to step back and analyze how well your garden performed during the summer, and to make improvements to the soil.
Soil is formed when rock is broken down by climate and vegetation over a period of time. Soil is nothing more than weathered rock fragments and decaying remains of plants and animals.
Most soils have three distinct layers – surface, subsoil and bottom. The surface layer is a coarse layer containing more organic matter than the other soil layers and the layer that people pay the greatest attention to. This layer is the most fertile and has the greatest concentration of plant roots. Plants obtain much of their nutrients and water from the surface soil.
The subsoil layer is finer and firmer than the surface soil and serves as support for the surface layer. The subsoil layer is a storage space for water and nutrients for plants, a temperature regulator of the soil and supplies air for the roots of plants. The bottom layer is decomposed rock. It is not hard like rock, but may show the form or structure of the original rocks.
Soil texture refers to the proportional amount of sand, silt and clay in a soil. Texture and soil structure affect the moisture holding capacity of soil, permeability, capacity to hold and furnish nutrients, tillage operations and erosion.
Our soils in the southeastern part of Kansas have a high clay content to it. The clay in the soil is what makes the soil stick to your shoes when the soil is wet. Many refer to our soil as “gumbo.”
One way to address a heavy clay soil and to improve the soil texture is to add organic matter. Organic matter includes such items as manure, leaves, and grass clippings that have been composted. Earthworms, insects, bacteria and fungi use the organic matter as food, breaking it down into humus. Through this process, materials are made available for use by growing plants. In a heavy clay soil, the organic matter allows water to move more freely and loosens the tight clay, which makes the soil easier to work.
Organic material can be directly applied to gardens and flowerbeds this time of year and allowed to compost directly in the soil. Add two to four inches of organic material and till into the soil. If the soil is dry, apply water to begin the decomposition process. After about two weeks you can repeat the process with another application of organic material. The organic material will decompose over the winter and soil will be ready for spring planting.
Sand is sometimes suggested as an amendment material for clay soils. However, there is a good reason to be cautious about using sand. For sand to be effective at breaking up a clay soil, sand grains must touch one another so there is pore space between grains that can hold air and water. If the grains don’t touch, the clay fills in the void between sand particles leaving no room for pores. This is the same principle used to make concrete and the result is somewhat the same.
Before doing any amendments to the soil, I recommend doing a soil test. Soil testing can be done through the Extension office for $12. For more information on how to take a soil sample, please give me a call.
K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
